Battle of Gonzales

Battle of Gonzales• Mexican leaders had loaned a small cannon

to the Texans at Gonzales to fight Comanches

• Colonel Ugartechea is worried the Texans may use the cannon against the Mexican army

• He knew that General Cos and his troops were on their way to San Antonio.

• Ugartechea decided to send a small group of soldiers to take the cannon

• The alcalde (Mexican mayor) told the soldiers he would not give up the cannon.

• The alcalde quickly buried the cannon to hide it.

Battle of Gonzales• When the alcalde resisted, Ugartechea

sent more troops to Gonzales• He did not want to start a war. He told the

leader of the troops, Francisco de Castaneda, to avoid a fight if possible.

• 140 Texans gathered to oppose the Mexican troops.

• Some women from town made a battle flag. It featured a painted cannon

and words that dared the Mexicans to “Come and Take

It”.

Battle of Gonzales

• Oct 2, 1835: Texans fired on Castaneda’s force with the very cannon he had come to take!

• They were fighting for their cannon and the Constitution of 1824.

• 1st conflict between Mexican troops and Texans.

• The Revolution has begun• The Lexington of the TexasRevolution• Lexington was the first Battle in the American

Revolution.

Capture of Goliad

• Oct 9th 120 Texans capture Goliad (Battle lasted 30 minutes.)

• Captured much needed guns, cannons and gun powder.

• Texans became over confident on the fighting

• ability of Mexican

• soldier.

On To San Antonio• Stephen F Austin takes control of the army.• Austin sends soldiers under the command of

James Fannin and Jim Bowie to find a campsite for the army. They settle along the San Antonio River.

• General Cos’ army attacks the Texans and his army suffered heavy losses.

• Austin’s army began a siege in San Antonio. (a siege is when an army surrounds and area and waits for them to give up.)

• Some 600 Texans waited for Cos’ army to give up due to lack of food and supplies.

• They waited for seven weeks.

Los Tejanos

Already opposed to Santa Anna’s government, the Tejanos of San Antonio suffered further under the occupation of General Cos.

Prominent citizens were forced to sweep the city streets, Tejanas had to bake tortillas for the troops, and the Mexican forces also took supplies from citizens and destroyed some of their homes

Juan Seguín

Placido Benavides

More than 100 Tejanos joined the fight in San Antonio, most notably Juan Seguín and Placido Benavides. Many of these Tejanos were skilled horsemen and became a part of Stephen F. Austin’s plan to build a strong cavalry.

Siege of San Antonio• As winter drew near, Austin’s army talked of

going home.• Austin decided it was time to attack. Only 100

men were willing to follow.• Austin reports, “I have done the best I can do.”• Austin is sent to the United States to seek help

with two other men. (William H. Wharton and Branch T. Archer)

• Colonel Burleson is selected as the army’s new commander.

• 100s of Americans did arrive to help the Texans.

Commissioners to the United States

Branch T. ArcherWilliam H. WhartonStephen F. Austin

Meanwhile Back at the Consultations

• Delegates pledge to support the Constitution of 1824

• They had to take up arms only to defend themselves and

• To oppose the rule of Santa Anna

• They urged all Mexican citizens, both in Texas and Mexico to join their struggle for a democratic government

Texas Military

The General Counsel created the Texas Navy to protect the coast and to attack Mexican ships.

Consultation

• Created a provisional government (temporary)

• Governor – Henry Smith• Lt. Governor – James Robinson• Formed a General Council• * Smith and Robinson in War

Party• * General Council Peace Party

Provisional Government

Created the General Council to help Smith and Robinson run the government

Elected Henry Smith governor

Elected James Robinson lieutenant governor

Consultation

• Sam Houston named commander of the regular army.

• In April 1829, Houston resigned as governor of Tennessee and went west with the Cherokee. • That year he was adopted as a citizen in the nation. • There Houston married an Indian chief’s daughter.

• On May 9, 1840, Houston, aged 47, married for a third time. The bride was 21-year-old Margaret Lea.

• The union was lasted much longer than his two previous unions and produced eight children born between Houston's 51st and 68th years.

• On January 22, 1829, at the age of 35, Houston married 19-year-old Eliza Allen.• Houston is believed to have loved the girl sincerely, but Eliza left him shortly after their marriage. • Neither Houston nor Eliza ever discussed the reasons for their separation.

Sam Houston

Negotiations with the Cherokee

The Provisional government sent Sam Houston and an African-American man named William Goyens to make peace with the Cherokee Indians.

Because of their efforts, the Cherokee promised to remain neutral during the revolution.

The Texan troops eagerly opened the bags that they thought contained silver, but found grass meant to feed horses

The Texans were disappointed, but it was the first sign that their siege was working. It became known as the Grass Fight.

About 40 Texas cavalry troops and 100 infantry soldiers ambushed the Mexican soldiers and captured their horses, mules, supplies, and cargo before they can reach San Antonio.

The Grass Fight

Siege of San

Antonio

• Other than the Grass Fight not much happening

• Many Texans becoming restless• Some start to go home• Early December siege called off• But then something good happens!!

• Texans capture a Mexican deserter• Deserter claims Mexicans don’t want to

fight and their spirits were very low.• Said the Texans could win San Antonio.• Truth or Trick???

Assault on San

Antonio

• After hearing this news Ben Milam stood up and yelled “Who will follow old Ben Milan into San Antonio?”

• About 300 Texans joined. • House to house fighting for the next

5 days.• Ben Milam was killed on the 3rd day.

Gen. Cos Surrenders

• Mexican army retreats to the Alamo• After 5 days Gen Cos Surrenders• Terms:• Never fight against Texans again• He and Mexican army would leave

Texas• Dec. 10, 1835 there were no Mexican

troops in Texas.• Texans celebrated their victory. This

victory made the Texans over confident.

• Santa Anna was furious with General Cos for surrendering.

COPY INTO YOUR JOURNALThe Texas Revolution and the American Revolution